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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Giuseppe Muro

Leon Edwards defends UFC welterweight title with dominant win over Colby Covington in front of Donald Trump

Leon Edwards retained his UFC welterweight title with a dominant victory over Colby Covington in front of Donald Trump in Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old Briton claimed a 12th successive win with a unanimous decision over his American opponent.

After Covington had made toxic remarks about his late father in the build-up, this was a sweet win for Edwards.

The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, 49-46 in his favour.

Trump was octagon-side to support Covington, who had said pre-fight that the former American president would wrap the title around his waist if he beat Edwards.

(AP)

Covington had sparked controversy during the build-up this week, promising to take Edwards to “hell” to meet his late father, who was murdered in London in 2004.

Speaking after the fight, Edwards said: “This fight was very emotional for me. This guy used my dad's death as entertainment, he used my dad's murder as entertainment and it took a lot for me to clam down, stay focused and come into this fight.

“After the press conference, I was crying backstage because of the rage. You can't use my dad's death."

Edwards added: “I know I'm the better athlete but they kept going on about cardio so I wanted to match the cardio.

“I wanted to grapple with him. I'm a mixed martial artist, so I wanted to come out here and prove my case.

“I feel like I was the much better athlete and technician. He's good, a great competitor but a dirty human being."

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